Fillings
Short answer
Fillings repair small to medium cavities and rebuild the tooth so you can chew normally again.
Simple explanation
Most modern fillings are tooth-colored composite. The dentist removes the decay, cleans the tooth, and fills the space. Numbing is common; the visit usually takes 30–60 minutes.
When this usually matters
Small cavities filled early avoid root canals later.
When to seek dental help
Pain after a filling that lasts more than a few days, or a filling that feels too high, needs a check.
Questions to ask your dentist
- •How deep is the cavity?
- •Composite or another material?
- •Will I need a crown later?
This is simple educational information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a dental examination. Your dentist may recommend something different depending on your mouth, X-rays, pain, infection, gums, bone, medical history, and clinical judgment.